Late run lifts Bulls past Magic
Orlando, Florida— Derrick Rose and Luol Deng each scored 21 points as the Chicago Bulls held off a fourth-quarter surge by Orlando to beat the Magic 97-83 on Friday for their sixth straight victory.
Carlos Boozer added 20 points for Chicago, which led by as many as 17 before the lead was trimmed to three. The Bulls closed the game on a 17-6 run.
Dwight Howard led the Magic with 28 points and 15 rebounds.
The Bulls (7-1) are off to their best start since winning 12 of 13 to open the 1996-97 season. The latest victory began a brutal stretch for Chicago that includes seven games in nine nights.
Lakers 97,
Warriors 90
At Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant scored 26 of his 39 points in a dynamic second half, Pau Gasol added 17 points and 11 rebounds, and the weary Los Angeles Lakers gritted out a victory over Golden State.
Matt Barnes had 16 points and six rebounds before fouling out for the Lakers, who won their fifth straight home game while playing their NBA-high ninth game in 13 days.
Monta Ellis scored 18 points and David Lee had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Warriors.
Thunder 109, Rockets 94
At Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant scored 26 points and top reserve James Harden added 23 as Oklahoma City eased into its only stretch of three games on consecutive nights by beating Houston.
The Rockets fell to 0-5 on the road this season but get a rematch Saturday night on their home floor, where they’ve won their only two games this season.
Kevin Martin and Terrence Williams scored 13 points apiece for Houston.
Suns 102,
Blazers 77
At Phoenix, Steve Nash made all seven shots, two of them 3-pointers, and handed out nine assists before sitting out the fourth quarter to watch Phoenix complete a rout of Portland.
Jared Dudley scored 18 points and Nash 17 for the Suns. Marcin Gortat added 12.
LaMarcus Aldridge had 14 points for the Trail Blazers, who shot 33 percent, 28 percent in the first half.
Hawks 102,
Bobcats 96, OT
At Charlotte, North Carolina, Atlanta went to overtime for a second straight night, pulling out a victory over Charlotte behind 23 points and 13 rebounds from Josh Smith.
Marvin Williams added 15 points and nine rebounds, and Al Horford scored 15 points for the Hawks (5-3).OTHER RESULTS: Knicks 99, Wizards 96; Nets 97, Raptors 85; 76ers 96, Pistons 73; Pacers 87, Celtics 74; Cavaliers 98, Timbewolves 87; Nuggets 96, Hornets 88; Jazz 94, Grizzlies 85. /ap
